books
For all My Brilliant Friend fans and lovers, I just found out that the fourth and final season of the show (based on the fourth book) drops on September 9th. In preparation for this, I’m rereading the fourth book this month.
looks
Last Sunday morning, my husband booked a “sniff spot” for our pup, and we took her swimming. Meadow loooooooves the water, and I felt so much joy watching her experience bliss and happiness jumping in and out of the pool.
Later that day, I went over to visit with my aunt for a quick Sunday catch up. I always say this, and that’s because it’s true, but I’m so happy I live close to family!!!
On Monday, I got up early and went on a long walk with my husband and pup. I noticed that I felt energized for the rest of the day and in great spirits, and miss the cooler weather that makes long walks easier at any time of the day.
Snapped a quick outfit pic outside while the air fryer warmed up dinner.
On Tuesday, I got all my house chores done in the morning and worked in the afternoon.
For the next few weeks, I’m testing out a new weekly schedule, and Tuesday is the best day for me to do household chores while I get computer work done (peep the laundry basket behind me as I get admin stuff done at the kitchen island).
Wednesday morning we went for some coffee outside the house as a mid-week treat. I make 90% of my coffees at home, but getting an iced vanilla latte made by a talented barista is delicious.
Alex Mill kindly sent me a piece from their August collection, and it made me so excited for Fall that I wore it twice this week. Where I live, the first few hours of the day are tolerable, and since I’m inside for most of the day in AC, a cardigan/sweater is usually part of my outfit.
Later that evening, I drove out to meet a friend for dinner. I don’t usually talk too much about my personal life (I like to keep a lot of it private for me and for my loved ones), and I don’t typically give restaurant/place recommendations.
This time is an exception, because the food at Anitco Nuovo was so fcking good. If you live in LA or are planning a visit here, please add it to your list.
Thursday was a quiet day at home working, shooting content, and giving lots of cuddles to my pup.
Friday morning is always chaotic — I have early morning meetings with my team, who’s on the East Coast. By 11am, most of what needs to get done is done, and I get to run all of my errands.
Around noon, I met up with an Instagram friend for a coffee and was so happy to connect with her IRL. Check out Natasha if you love aesthetic and beautiful pictures and LA living.
My manicure from last week got ruined, so I went in for a touch up and a different color.
Sleepy Saturday started out with a migraine, so I took it slow on the couch and rested a bit longer.
After we took the pup to the park, my husband and I went out for brunch and came back to watch the men’s Olympic basketball final. We have lots of plans for Sunday, so taking it easy the rest of the day!!!
*items marked * were generously gifted to me
& bonus
I want you to be the first to know that I’m taking a three-week break from Substack and all social media. The short version is that I need space and time to figure out what my next steps with online life are going to be. I’ve experienced growth both here and on social media (which I am SO GRATEFUL FOR OMG!!!!), and I want to integrate it in a healthy and chill way. And knowing myself, if I don’t take a break now, I will burn out later.
I feel the anxiety and stress bubbling up and that makes me feel scared and alone. Which is not how I want to feel writing this Substack and connecting with all of you. I genuinely enjoy this space we’ve built together, and want to show up.
When I lived in Mexico City a few years ago, unable to work, I went back to school to study psychotherapy. This was an experience that truly changed the course of my life and taught me how to be a better human. I learned how to listen to other people, and I learned how to listen to myself.
Something else I picked up on while I was there was the following “life” recipe:
digerir para integrar, integrar para expandir, expandir para trascender
In English: digest to integrate, integrate to expand, expand to transcend
In plain English: you have to “digest” your experience in order to integrate it as a part of you // once you’ve integrated the experience you can expand (your cup, your heart, your mind, etc.) // and once you’ve expanded and opened, transcendence is available (you’re able to exist in this world as a happier and healthier human).
How this relates to you and me: For the next few weeks I’ll be off the internet digesting, integrating, and hopefully expanding.
The plan for the next few weeks:
books and looks will return on Labor Day weekend
for paid subscribers, you’ll receive an extra long vintage(ish) finds post on Monday 8/12, no post the week of 8/19, and a post the week of 8/26 but on the weekend (as opposed to our usual weekday date).
Wishing you all a restful and glorious rest of the month. If you absolutely need/want to reach me, please email me at nqochoa@gmail.com — I’ll still check email.
A heartfelt thank you for all of your support. It means more to me than I can express in words. See you at the end of the month!
Xx,
Natalia